rewiring?

drmjafri

I am planning to buy a 1960s 4 bed detached house. (225 sqm)
Home buyer report says electric needs urgent attaention. It states " Mains electricity is installed. meter and consumer unit in garage. installation is largely obsolete with some original rubber sheathed cabling and consumer unit containing rewirable fuses. please instruct a qualified (preferably Niceic ) electrician to test the circuit, report its condition and provide quotation for upgrading required.

my query-

1- Do i need to completely rewire. if yes approx cost ?

OR

2- can i just change consumer unit and get only earthing elsewhere?/

I understand rewiring is safest and best but trying to save as already stretched with Finances. However if the consensus is for rewiring then i will do it....

Thanking in anticipation

Andy_WSM

drmjafri wrote: »

1- Do i need to completely rewire. if yes approx cost ?

OR

2- can i just change consumer unit and get only earthing elsewhere?/

I can't help you on the cost, but that rubber sheathed wiring really needs replacing. I doubt anyone would want to change a consumer unit without replacing the old rubber wiring as it becomes brittle and the insulation snaps off when you try and move it. Clearly a very dangerous situation.

dunloadin

Sounds like the meter tails are VIR cable, as they are saying 'some' it will probably be the cables from the incoming mains to the meter.

If this is the case then the electricity supplier for the house is responsible for their replacement, you'll probably get the meter changed at the same time, and as it's old cable and possibly a safety issue it will be done free of cost.

If the cable from the consumer unit to the meter is also VIR then you'll need a lekkie to replace this as meter workers are not allowed to open up the consumer units (this will be at your expense, but shouldn't cost that much unless there are other issues)

As you have yet to buy the place have a word with your solicitor to get it put in any contract that this work needs to be done prior to sealing the deal, might save you the cost of the survey.

johnjames1

You are better off getting them to do all the leg work and rewire, otherwise knock 5K off of the price as it will cost you this then there is decoration etc. Personally by the sound of it you are letting yourself in for a nightmare and no doubt add ons all over the place. I would presume posibly 100% correctly that there is no correct earth either or cross bonding / CPC or equipotntial bonding. Take some pics of all the cables going into the consumer unti and I will soon be able to tell you 99%. Your board is it plastic or metal if so it will be an old wylex one and probably at the least 15th edition but I very much doubt it. Whatever you do, dont leave it as it also could invalidate insurance as well.
Qualfied to City and Guilds 2400 the design erection and verification of electrical installtions.